RETL vs. XRT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RETL (Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares) and XRT (SPDR S&P Retail ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RETL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Retail Index (300%), while XRT is a Consumer Discretionary Equities fund tracking the S&P Retail Select Industry. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RETL returned -5.65%/yr vs 8.56%/yr for XRT. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. RETL charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XRT.

Performance

RETL vs. XRT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) and SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RETL achieves a -13.97% return, which is significantly lower than XRT's -1.99% return. Over the past 10 years, RETL has underperformed XRT with an annualized return of -5.65%, while XRT has yielded a comparatively higher 8.56% annualized return.

RETL

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: -2.83%
• YTD: -13.97%
• 6M: -14.71%
• 1Y: 2.31%
• 3Y*: 12.49%
• 5Y*: -28.39%
• 10Y*: -5.65%

XRT

• 1D: -0.39%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: -1.99%
• 6M: -2.00%
• 1Y: 8.44%
• 3Y*: 13.38%
• 5Y*: -0.84%
• 10Y*: 8.56%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

RETL vs. XRT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RETL Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares	-13.97%	-5.98%	9.59%	33.62%	-80.80%	101.03%	63.63%	23.41%	-35.21%	-1.31%
XRT SPDR S&P Retail ETF	-1.99%	8.07%	11.78%	21.53%	-31.64%	42.60%	41.91%	14.12%	-8.04%	4.22%

Correlation

The correlation between RETL and XRT is 1.00 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	1.00
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.00
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 15, 2010	0.92

The correlation between RETL and XRT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 1.00 - a consistent structural relationship.

RETL vs. XRT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RETL	XRT
Consumer Cyclical	14.0%	73.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	20.9%
Communication Services	0.3%	1.4%
Technology	0.3%	1.4%
Healthcare	0.3%	1.4%
Energy	0.3%	1.4%
Basic Materials	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

RETL vs. XRT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

RETL

RETL Risk / Return Rank: 10
RETL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
RETL Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
RETL Omega Ratio Rank: 12
RETL Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
RETL Martin Ratio Rank: 9

XRT

XRT Risk / Return Rank: 15
XRT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
XRT Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
XRT Omega Ratio Rank: 14
XRT Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
XRT Martin Ratio Rank: 16

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

RETL vs. XRT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) and SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	RETL	XRT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.04	0.42	-0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.50	0.76	-0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.08	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.06	0.63	-0.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.13	1.45	-1.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RETL vs. XRT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RETL Sharpe Ratio is 0.04, which is lower than the XRT Sharpe Ratio of 0.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RETL and XRT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RETL	XRT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04	0.42	-0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.36	-0.03	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.07	0.32	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.35	-0.15

Drawdowns

RETL vs. XRT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RETL drawdown since its inception was -92.00%, which is greater than XRT's maximum drawdown of -65.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RETL and XRT.

Drawdown Indicators

	RETL	XRT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-92.00%	-65.81%	-26.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-38.08%	-13.53%	-24.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-62.72%	-25.62%	-37.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-92.00%	-44.57%	-47.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-92.00%	-47.02%	-44.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-85.23%	-13.82%	-71.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.55%	-15.00%	-22.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.20%	5.85%	+12.35%

Volatility

RETL vs. XRT - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares (RETL) has a higher volatility of 18.99% compared to SPDR S&P Retail ETF (XRT) at 6.50%. This indicates that RETL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XRT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RETL	XRT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	18.99%	6.50%	+12.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.17%	13.63%	+26.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	60.15%	20.42%	+39.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	79.48%	26.90%	+52.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	79.75%	27.16%	+52.59%

RETL vs. XRT - Expense Ratio Comparison

RETL has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than XRT's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

RETL vs. XRT - Dividend Comparison

RETL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.59%, less than XRT's 0.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RETL Direxion Daily Retail Bull 3X Shares	0.59%	0.58%	1.13%	1.35%	0.71%	0.22%	0.19%	0.92%	1.19%	0.01%	2.60%	0.00%
XRT SPDR S&P Retail ETF	0.83%	0.77%	1.52%	1.40%	2.15%	1.55%	1.01%	1.57%	1.51%	1.52%	1.36%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RETL and XRT in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 1.00, RETL and XRT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, RETL or XRT?

RETL has higher volatility (18.99%) compared to XRT (6.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RETL dropped -92.00% vs XRT's -65.81%.

Which ETF is better, RETL or XRT?

On 10-year performance, XRT leads with 8.56% vs -5.65% for RETL. On fees, XRT is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XRT has been the lower-risk option at 6.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RETL or XRT?

Over the 10-year period, XRT has performed better with a 8.56% return vs -5.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RETL or XRT?

XRT is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for RETL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RETL or XRT?

XRT has the higher dividend yield at 0.83%, compared with 0.59% for RETL.

What is the main difference between RETL and XRT?

RETL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while XRT is Consumer Discretionary Equities. RETL tracks Russell 1000 Retail Index (300%), while XRT tracks S&P Retail Select Industry. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for RETL and 0.35% for XRT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XRT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.42 vs 0.04), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.